- January 22, 2025
- 4:10 pm
- Israel
Such applications have begun to be accepted at visa centers in 26 cities of the Russian Federation.
Israel allows payment of Electronic Entry Authorization (ETA-IL) fee using a Russian bank card or cash (in rubles – ed.).
This decision puts Israel in the position of a country that actually helps to weaken the effect of international sanctions against Russia.
We previously wrote “about the Electronic Entry Permit to Israel (ETA-IL) – and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has already statedthat “possible difficulties with paying (why is this so? -ed) the fee are already being discussed, and work is actively underway to simplify the procedure for Russian tourists.”
“Well, yes, Visa and MasterCard have left Russia, but Mir is not accepted in Israel – I wonder what they’ll get out of it?”
— and here we are!
Such applications began to be accepted at VFS Global visa centers in 26 cities of the Russian Federation, TASS was informed by the press service of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
About this reports TASS January 22, 2025.
“Registration through VFS Global is the only authorized partner of the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation for processing applications for ETA-IL,” the ministry noted. — The application fee is 25 Israeli shekels, plus a VFS Global service fee of $5. Payment is accepted in rubles in cash or by Russian bank card.”
They clarified that relevant applications are accepted at VFS Global centers in 26 cities of Russia. Full list can be found on the visa operator’s website.
Like this…..
Everything is fine?
Israel's permission to pay the electronic entry authorization fee (ETA-IL) with Russian bank cards or cash in rubles effectively creates a loophole to circumvent international sanctions. After the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, many Russian banking systems were disconnected from international payment systems such as SWIFTVisa and Mastercard, which significantly limited the access of Russian citizens and businesses to foreign transactions.
Why does this look like a sanctions bypass:
- Maintaining work with Russian banks: The use of Russian bank cards, which are blocked in most countries of the world, allows Russian institutions to continue financial transactions outside of Russia.
- Payment in rubles: Cash payments in rubles also bypass restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, making it difficult to track cash flows that could be used to finance the Russian economy and military efforts.
- Supporting the aggressor's economy: Payments made through Russian banks or cash flow back into the Russian financial system, providing it with needed liquidity and helping to strengthen the ruble, which directly or indirectly supports the Russian military budget.
Why is this bad for Israel:
- Reputational risks: This decision puts Israel in the position of a country that actually helps to weaken the effect of international sanctions against Russia.
- Threat of secondary sanctions: Countries that actively support Ukraine may regard this policy as an attempt to help the aggressor and create pressure on Israel.
- Potential support for Russian aggression: The funds that are returned to Russia through such mechanisms can be used to continue the war against Ukraine, which is contrary to the humanitarian and democratic values that Israel declares.
Thus, allowing payments in rubles or Russian bank cards looks like an economic compromise that could harm Israel's international image and call into question its neutrality in the global conflict.
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